Clock for Instrument

[flymeach]

I know in the regs is says you must have a working clock to make the aircraft legal for IFR flight. Does that clock have to be mounted on the dash or any other part of the aircraft? I wouldn't think a watch would cut it. I am not looking for an opinion, I am looking for a legal answer. Thanks.

 

[joe_pilot]

91.205 says "...unless that aircraft contains the instruments..."

Every DPE and Inspector I have asked was of the opinion that contains means installed.

My $.02.

-JP

 

[agpilot34]

Same here. I've always been told that "contains" means installed in the aircraft.

 

[340drvr]

Yup, must be installed in the aircraft. But, that doesn't mean you can't use another stopwatch/timer of your choice as your primary timer if you choose.

 

[agpilot34]

Exactly. I rarely ever use the clock in the aircraft as far as timing on IFR flights. I use the timer on my yoke mount because it's so much easier to see and set.

 

[gkrangers]

In older aircraft I'll use my own timer, since they'll typically have something with second hands and crap that is more trouble than its woth.

If the plane has a digital clock installed, I'll use that, like in any newer 172.

 

[flymeach]

Thanks

Thanks for the replies. I checked in with the local FISDO and that is what their view on the "contained" term was as well. I wonder if the aircraft was certified without a clock installed if you could get away with out having to have it installed. The Fed said he would have to check out the type cert. before he could give me a definite answer, later he called me and told me what I stated above. It is a petty thing since most pilots do not use the clock installed in the aircraft and rely on a timer, but it is a reg. Thanks again for the quick reply and help with this question.